On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. If you want to know more click here.
Zach Thomas risks his life battling flames every day. But since sexy EMT Brooke O'Brian joined the crew, he can't resist playing with fire. Brooke is feisty, a little uptight...and sexy as hell. And as Zach soon discovers, she's definitely hot stuff between the sheets. Still, every firefighter knows that the hotter the blaze, the faster the action's over....
After the whirlwind ride Zach's been taking her on, Brooke is ready to do anything for this man--in and out of bed! But she knows footloose and fancy-free Zach doesn't do commitment. So she plans to build up a five-alarm fire between them. The kind he won't ever want to put out...
Firefighter Aidan Donnelly has always battled the flames with trademark icy calm. That is, until a blazing old flame returns--in the shape of sizzling soap star Mackenzie Stafford! Aidan wants to pour water over the unquenchable heat between them. But that just creates more steam....
Kenzie is not the delicate, fragile female she looks like. She has one clear objective, and nothing will stand in the way of her goal--well, nothing but the red-hot touch of a certain dangerously sexy fireman, that is!
Though it's been years since the infamous Macy O'James stepped foot in Sugarville, Washington, everyone remembers what she supposedly did. The tiny town is still buzzing about her crime and lack of punishment.
Now back to lend her family a hand, Macy vows to hold her head high—especially at her high school reunion. But forget about the hottest man in Sugarville escorting her. Though she and fire chief Gabriel Donovan generate enough sparks to burn down the town, he's a law-abiding, line-toeing straight arrow. So not her type.
But maybe—just maybe—he can change her mind about that.
Here are my Top Reads of 2011. These are books that I read and loved and could read again.
Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison (my review | buy the book) – I wasn’t going to read this book. I wasn’t. But the buzz surrounding this paranormal romance novel was too incredibly loud, it was utterly impossible to ignore. One thing that still stands out for me was the ‘take a penny, leave a penny’ scene. That was hilarious! And I love how possessive and obsessed Dragos is about Pia. They are one of my favorite couples. I loved this book so much, I had to get my very own copy (I had originally gotten the book from the library).
Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins (my review | buy the book) – I loved Hex Hall (my review) and loved Demonglass even more. I didn’t think I would like reading about a witch protagonist but Rachel Hawkins proved me wrong.
Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey (my review | buy the book) – I love this contemporary romance trilogy and the first book is my favorite. It’s funny and there’s lots of playful banter going on. And I like the Kowalski family dynamic.
Divergent by Veronica Roth (my review | buy the book) – This YA Dystopian novel blew me away. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Tris is a terrific protagonist and I love Four.
Enclave by Ann Aguirre (my review | buy the book) – A dark, bleak YA Dystopian novel. Utterly eerie and yet I still had a bit of hope for Deuce and Fade. Amazing world building. Cinematic feel. Strong, fierce, loyal protagonist. Think I Am Legend (the movie) geared towards the young adult audience (minus the dog).
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler (my review | buy the book) – EPIC. These authors took a simple, yet brilliant concept and created a fun read. Great read for the young adult audience and the young at heart.
Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelley (my review | buy the book ) – Emotional novel involving a hero with a tormented past. John is nothing but complex. He also happens to be an author and his YA series was incorporated into the main storyline seamlessly.
Turn It Up by Inez Kelley (my review | buy the book ) – Hilarious and scintillating. The chemistry between Charlie and Bastian was off the hook. Friends to lovers with a twist – she’s the one who wants casual sex, he wants the whole package. And the on-air antics had me LOLing. Loads of sexual tension. Second book by this author that made my list. Definitely need to read more by her.
You Belong to Me by Karen Rose (my review | buy the book) – A great romantic suspense read. Heavy on the suspense element, light on the romance. The attention to detail was phenomenal.
Trust in Advertising by Victoria Michaels (my review | buy the book) – A fun story with lots of flirtatious banter. Great chemistry between the hero and heroine.
The only things I really need while writing is my Mac and coffee. Granted, I work best at Starbucks--I’ve written five books at Starbucks but I didn’t plan to spend more time at Starbucks than most of the baristas.
I happily wrote Romeo, Romeo in my office at home around my three children, but then my middle child, my daughter who I call Twinkle Toes began dancing at one of the best ballet schools in the country, which was 90 miles away from home. For two years I home schooled Twinkle Toes, drove 180 miles a day, six days a week, and wrote at the Carlisle Crossing Starbucks while Twinkle Toes danced 40 hours a week.
When Twinkle Toes decided she wanted to go back to ‘real’ school, she moved away from home at the ripe old age of 14, lived with a host family, went to school, and danced.
All of a sudden I had time. I wouldn’t have to drive and teach eight hours a day, I’d be able to see my husband and spend more time with my other children. I kept thinking how much work I’d get done, but I spent the first three months sitting in my office, staring at my computer. Sure, part of it was that I was going through Twinkle Toes withdrawal. I went from spending eight hours a day with her to seeing her eight hours a week if I was lucky. But still, whenever I went up to Carlisle to visit, I’d write four times more than I would have if I stayed home. Starbucks was my writing nirvana! Of course the Carlisle Crossing Starbucks is special—I’d worked there for two years, I knew every barista—they became like part of the family, heck, a lot of the regular customers were too. I was under deadline and didn’t want to drive the hour and a half to my favorite Starbucks, so I went to the one a mile away. Granted, it wasn’t the same—I really missed my baristas in Carlisle, and the baristas at my home Starbucks weren’t as friendly, but hey, I was desperate. I got to work, picked out a favorite table and became a fixture there, and met my deadlines. Thank God!
Research she does for writing her books (anything interesting she has come across while researching)
When it comes to research, I’m a lazy writer. Like most writers, I take advantage of everything I do and hear. Years ago I lived in Idaho and worked for an insurance agent who was also a part-time minister. He had a church in an old ghost town in the mountains. Atlanta, Idaho used to be a mining town back in the 1890’s. While I was there, I found an old miner’s journal and was fascinated. In the journal was a story about the three whores who worked the mine. There was another mine on the other side of the mountain pass. The mines had opposite paydays so the ladies would work the Rocky Bar mine, and then cross the pass to work in Atlanta on Atlanta’s payday.
One spring day, the ladies were crossing the pass to Rocky Bar when a freak blizzard hit. The ladies, Dutch Em, Anne, and Annie were trapped. Dutch Em and Anne froze to death before the miners from Atlanta could rescue them. Annie was lucky; she had her dog with her who kept her warm enough to stay alive, though she did lose a leg to frostbite. When the men found them, they put Dutch Em and Anne’s bodies on a toboggan for the arduous trip back down the pass for burial. The trail followed the river and was steep and covered with four feet of snow and ice. The toboggan got away from them and went over a cliff into the raging river never to be seen again. Luckily, the men were able to get Annie down, and one of her customers made her a peg leg, and she was called Peg Leg Annie after that. That story stayed with me. When I decided to write Yours for the Taking, I wanted the hero to have a ranch in the mountains outside of Atlanta, I called the area Three Whores Bend and used the story I found twenty years ago in that miner’s journal in my book. It worked out very well because my heroine’s mother was a sex worker and going to Three Whore’s Bend really brought the internal conflict to the surface.
Her Christmas list
This year there were only three things on my Christmas list:
A pair of fuzzy crocs because my pair is so worn out, they’ve become a hazard when it’s wet.
A sweater I saw at Chico’s. I gave my dear husband a picture of it from the catalogue and a 50% off coupon.
A bag I could use as a pocketbook but would be big enough to hold my MacBook Air so I wouldn’t have to carry two bags with me to Starbucks every day. After a year of looking, I found the perfect bag on ebags and bought it on sale and told my husband he got me the perfect gift.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and best wishes for the New Year!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robin Kaye was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge next door to her Sicilian grandparents.
Living with an extended family that's a cross between Gilligan's Island and The Sopranos, minus the desert isle and illegal activities, explains both her comedic timing and the cast of quirky characters in her books.
She's lived in half a dozen states from Idaho to Florida, but the romance of Brooklyn has never left her heart.
She currently resides in Maryland with her husband, three children, two dogs, and a three-legged cat with attitude.
Whitewater-rafting guide Hunter Kincaid lands his dream job–guiding sportswear models through Idaho's rugged wilderness for a photo shoot. When he meets Toni Russo, the goth New York manager of Action Models, there are enough sparks to set the forest ablaze.
When Hunter finds Toni's book on how to marry the man of your choice, he studies it as a joke. Before long Hunter realizes he's never cared enough for a woman to bother working this hard to get her. But the last man in the world this city girl wants is a Survivor Man wannabe...
Thank you so much, Brianna, for arranging this guest post. I wish you a romantic and wonderful new year! Here's to more amazing book reviews and happy reading!
Usually, birthdays were like any other day to Mina. This year though, she had looked forward to her birthday for at least six weeks.
It wasn’t because it was her sweet-sixteenth birthday. It was because Mina was sure Kiterin Forrests, her best and only boy friend, would confess his love for her as the ultimate birthday gift.
Okay… Maybe not. I’m the one confessing today.
Five summers ago, Mina had seen Kit shirtless, mowing the lawn next door. Sweat made his sun-kissed boy-pecs glisten. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, sweeping away wheat-colored bangs. Mina had wanted to give her new neighbor a towel (and keep said towel like a stalker). When Kit noticed Mina, he blinked his ivy-colored eyes and smiled.
Instead of smiling back, Mina ran into her house and wondered if her pounding heart would pop out of her chest.
But that wasn’t the exact moment she had fallen in love with Kit. A week later, Mina’s dad had a stroke at work. He died in the hospital emergency room before Mina and her mother had a chance to see him one last time.
Kit and his parents attended the funeral. That day, Mina stayed at the graveyard until nightfall alone. Leaving, she stumbled over a tombstone and fell into an open grave. At first, she screamed and cried. Minutes later, when no one came to her rescue, she just lay there, waiting to be buried and thinking she would see her daddy soon.
Kit, who had stayed behind, found Mina. He pulled her out of the grave and brought her home. The next day, he read her a poem he had written when his grandmother passed away. Reciting the poem, beautiful tears ran down his cheeks.
That was the exact moment Mina fell in love with Kit.
Ever since then, Kit had stayed by Mina’s side like a guardian angel. On special occasions, he surprised her with hand-made gifts- sculpted and whittled duck figurines. He traveled with her to and from school.
For the past five years, even though Mina had kept her feelings for her best friend a secret, everyone and their grannies could see how much she loved him.
Everyone except for Kit. Mina had always wondered why he was so oblivious to her feelings. He usually had more sensitivity in his left pinky than most guys had in their entire bodies.
When they read Romeo and Juliet together in the eighth grade, Kit wept during the part the star-crossed lovers died. Mina, on the other hand, thought the entire tragedy could have been avoided if Romeo had a cell phone.
“Aren’t you excited?” Kiterin said, snapping Mina out of her thoughts. His voice was deep and lyrical, like an aria to her ears. He walked behind Mina at a sloth’s pace. Unlike other Uptowners, Kit’s motto was “stop and smell the roses.”
In the summer, the Uptown was muggy enough to annoy mosquitoes. Everyone who had AC blasted their units, leading to frequent citywide blackouts.
Crankiness-levels rose like the temperature. Even on the weekends, people roamed the streets like they were high on Red Bull and caffeine. Drivers honked at anyone or anything that didn’t move quickly enough, like shaky, little old ladies crossing the streets with their rolling walkers.
Trying to be more like Kit, Mina forced herself to relax and smell roses-whenever she could find roses in the city at least. She looked down and studied their shadows. Kit’s shadow and hers melded together.
Like we’re one.
Her heart skipped a beat. She spun around, her cheeks flushed and glowing. She loved the way Kit dressed- today he wore a white t-shirt, faded blue jeans and black flip-flops. Everything about Kit was adorable to Mina, even his toes.
“Very excited,” she replied and clapped, trying to look adorable. Turning around again, she tripped on a crack and almost launched herself down the busy city street. Arms flailing, she regained her balance and avoided a face-first-fiasco on the ground.
I can’t afford to be so clumsy if I didn’t have such good reflexes.
Her ears burned when Kit and other pedestrians laughed. She scrambled to straighten herself.
That’s the last time I’m trying to look cute.
“You okay?” Kit asked, grinning. Mina smiled and nodded before continuing to walk like a careful robot.
“You’re really something else,” Kit muttered.
“Yea, thanks.” Mina chuckled, taking his comment as a compliment. As much as she tried, she didn’t know the definition of flirting or acting girly. She liked martial arts, action films, and dressing like a tomboy to hide her baby-fat. She would often wear what she wore now, a loose black t-shirt, khaki boy shorts, and worn white sneakers.
Embarrassment fading, Mina inhaled the smoggy city air and smiled. She wouldn’t want to spend this beautiful and toasty Saturday afternoon any other way.
To celebrate her birthday, Kit had taken the day off from his summer job at LAG, a prestigious art institute. He had promised Mina to spend the entire day with her.
If that’s not love, then I don’t know what is…
Kit had spent all semester trying to perfect his LAG application, just so the institute would consider him since they usually preferred hiring college students. Kit’s dream was to become an art professor. Working at LAG would give him a taste of the career he wished to pursue.
Mina could see it now. After wolfing down delicious cake, she would confess her feelings to Kit. Then they would date, get married, and have a happily ever after together like characters in fairytales. The Wedding March tune played in her head. She could see a litter of their chubby children running around their future home-a house Mina would build.
Okay, so maybe I should just focus on senior prom first.
Kit’s shadow separated from Mina’s when they made a turn at the street corner.
Feisty Mina Lin waltzes on glass shards when she lands a job as billionaire Jaiden Daniels's maid. What happens when Jaiden hires her to become his pretend girlfriend? Pretending to be in love with the hot Rich Boy is hard, when Mina's heart only beats for her boy next door, Kiterin Forrests. What happens when Mina doesn't know what her heart wants and a crazy Stalker is after Jaiden's life, and the only person who can save him is Mina?
Find out in Maid for Me, starring Mina Lin, an ambitious, silly, funny, and talented Asian-American heroine who has even developed her own fighting styled called Mina-Jitsu. A fast-paced debut novel for young adults, by Kat Lieu. Filled with hilarious dialogue, suspense, sparkling wit and imagination-- a romance novel packed with action and humor!
Thanks to Kat Lieu, ELEVEN lucky winners will receive a copy (10 eBooks, 1 print) of Maid for Me!! Please read Terms & Conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter form before entering. Good luck to all who enter!
On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. If you want to know more click here.
House-sitting for her parents seemed like a good idea, until the microwave blew up and the lights went out.
Now Chloe Burke thinks upgrading the electrical system of her childhood home while they are away would make the perfect Christmas gift. Fortunately, there's an electrician in town who can get the job done by the holidays.
Scott Quinn has wanted to get his hands on the Burkes' wiring for almost as long as he's wanted to get his hands on their daughter. Chloe didn't notice Scott back in high school, but she's noticing him now, and soon they're indulging in a little festive fun: no strings, no expectations. After all, Chloe plans to get out of this goldfish bowl of a town and back to her real life in Boston by New Year's.
But Chloe and Scott discover they enjoy each other's company just as much out of bed. Could their holiday fling turn out to be the real thing?
Some humans can see the fae. McKenzie Lewis can track them, reading the shadows they leave behind. But some shadows lead to danger. Others lead to lies. A Houston college student trying to finish her degree, McKenzie has been working for the fae king for years, tracking vicious rebels who would claim the Realm. Her job isn’t her only secret. For just as long, she’s been in love with Kyol, the king’s sword-master—and relationships between humans and fae are forbidden. But any hope for a normal life is shattered when she’s captured by Aren, the fierce and uncompromising rebel leader. He teaches her the forbidden fae language and tells her dark truths about the Court, all to persuade her to turn against the king. Time is running out, and as the fight starts to claim human lives, McKenzie has no choice but to decide once and for all whom to trust and where she ultimately stands in the face of a cataclysmic civil war.
Being one of the guys isn't all it's cracked up to be...
So when journalist Chastity O'Neill returns to her hometown, she decides it's time to start working on some of those feminine wiles. Two tiny problems: #1--she's five feet eleven inches of rock-solid girl power, and #2--she's cursed with four alpha male older brothers.
While doing a story on local heroes, she meets a hunky doctor and things start to look up. Now there's only one problem: Trevor Meade, her first love and the one man she's never quite gotten over--although he seems to have gotten over her just fine.
Yet the more time she spends with Dr. Perfect, the better Trevor looks. But even with the in-your-face competition, the irresistible Trevor just can't seem to see Chastity as anything more than just one of the guys....
I’d like to thank Brianna for letting me visit her amazing site today! I recently decided to visit the town for which my novel, Poughkeepsie, is named. While there I had to make a special stop:
Navigating the streets of Poughkeepsie after a snowstorm takes some concentration. Between the dirty snow dyeing everything gray and the black ice, I should be paying more attention. But I’m not. Lying next to me is a copy of my book; the title the same as the name of the town and a bagged lunch. I had to bring him something good to go with the bad. Though, with a salami and ham sandwich, I was saying a small prayer he hadn’t converted to vegetarianism while I’d been busy. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, I just had some meat for him in the bag.
I pulled into the commuter lot. There weren’t many cars, which surprised me. The Poughkeepsie train station was almost always busy. I gathered up my things and my courage and headed for the stairs. The sun was peeking in and out of the clouds like a naughty child hiding in the clothes racks at a store.
So he would be in the shade, if he were there at all.
I was already cold and my mind cried a bit, thinking of him huddled on the platform.
Now, I found myself praying he wasn’t here. Surely one of his brothers would’ve tucked him somewhere warm. I held the handrail as I descended to the stairs to the tracks. At the final stair I stopped, searching for him, relief and disappointment clashing together forcefully –forming tears in my eyes. I’d really wanted to see him. Apologize, explain…feed him.
A few commuters harrumphed past me, vocalizing their displeasure at my “statue on the stairs” impression. I snuggled the book and the lunch to my chest like a teddy bear. It crinkled and I remembered to not squeeze so damn hard.
I gave up. He wasn’t there. I was just wasting time. As I turned to go back up the stairs I saw him out of the corner of my eye. Why I had not thought to look a little harder, I didn’t know. Maybe avoidance.
He was here after all. I took in two quick, deep breaths. The sparse gathering of commuters didn’t pay me any mind as I slipped into the shade spot.
Blake Hartt was sitting on the ground, head resting against the brick wall of the station. His hands were wrapped lightly around his cardboard piano. It looked like he was napping until I caught his foot tapping out the rhythm of the approaching train.
I cleared my throat, louder than necessary because the train was loud. His startlingly green eyes opened. He looked surprised that I had snuck up on him. He stood quickly, rolling his piano and stuffing it in his back pocket.
He nodded at me, and I watched the surprise get crowded out of his eyes by wariness. He looked from my clutched hands to my face and back again --registering the reason for my visit and putting his gaze shyly on his feet.
He was beautiful. Heartbreakingly so. He was tall with messy blond hair, and a silent strength.
“Hi Blake.” I tried to gage how this impromptu visit would go.
“Ms. Anastasia. Happy Holidays.” He bit his lip and wouldn’t look at me.
He was always so formal. I resisted the urge to correct him. Call me Debra, call me friend, just understand that I care.
We waited as the passengers got on the train and it hurried away, taking them to New York City. After an awkward period of time it was obvious it was my job to explain why I was here, Blake wasn’t going to take any guesses.
“So the book. I have it here. For you…if you want it.” I held the thick book out to him.
Blake eyed it like a poisonous snake.
He shook his head. “No. No, thank you, but no.” He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, making it messier. “Congratulations though. I know you’ve been at this a while.”
His good tidings fell flat. I’d written the story with his permission three years earlier. It was my fault that I hadn’t checked in more often, after the initial afternoons spent in this very spot. I’d another book to promote, and then there was editing. No good reason. He’d felt every day I hadn’t been there, I could tell.
“I’m sorry. I’m here to apologize.” Tears filled my eyes for the second time.
He finally looked at my face, distressed by my emotion.
“You did nothing wrong. No tears.” He held out his hand, but did not touch me or take the book.
“I did. I got busy. I forgot all you gave me. Your story. Your dreams. I forgot about this.” I motioned to the gorgeous Hudson River trimmed in snow and shrugged.
He matched my shrug and pulled out his piano, rolling it and unrolling it. “It’s okay. I understand. Did it go well? Did you like holding it --the book?”
I dropped it on the pavement, and then placed the bag of lunch on its cover. I stepped over them both and made my way into his shade. I wanted to hug him, to pat his back, but I had to settle for standing closer.
“It was satisfying. My kids were proud.” I leaned against the brick.
“How are they? Your husband?” He snuck a peek at me.
“We’re fine. No, really good.” I tensed.
“Something happened? Is everyone okay?” He faced me then and took my hand, his kind nature overwhelming his distrust.
“We are. We’re good. It’s just…” I didn’t want to tell him. It seemed a horrible complaint to offer up to a homeless man. He just waited me out. After all the hours we spent together, he knew I’d spill the details. “Remember Hurricane Irene? Back in August?”
He thought for a second then nodded. “Yeah, Beckett said Southern Maryland was hit hard.”
“My house didn’t make it through the storm. We were in it when the big oak in front fell on the roof. It’s a miracle it didn’t go straight through. We lived in a hotel for a while, now the insurance have us in apartment while we wait for the rebuild.” Tears fell on my cheeks. I hadn’t cried telling anyone about the events, but I cried with him.
He pulled me into a strong hug, patting my back like I had wanted to pat his. “Shh. Everyone’s okay? The animals too?”
I nodded into his dark green army jacket, mumbling, “Yeah, you know I went back for the crazy animals. Damn near got killed doing it. Ha.” He smelled like mint and soap.
“That’s good. I’m so sorry. I’m glad you’re all safe.” He held me until my tears stopped.
“I feel like such a jerk weasel complaining to you about losing my house. God, I’m a tool.” I pushed out of his sweet hug and wiped my eyes.
“My reality isn’t your reality. We can still care for each other, that’s okay.” He glanced at the clouds, which were starting to commit to covering the whole sky. To prove their intentions they even started to sprinkle little drops of sleet.
He leaned down to gather my things and bring them to the safety of the overhang he stood under for shade, letting it be an umbrella.
“That’s for you, by the way. Did you have lunch yet?” I pointed at the bag he was trying to give me.
He just smiled instead of answering.
“It’s a good lunch. I had someone else make it.” I smiled back.
Even Blake knew how much I sucked in the kitchen.
“I didn’t earn this meal.” He was putting his walls up again.
“It’s all I brought besides my words to share. Let me. I came all this way.” I put my hands in my pockets, silently refusing to take no for an answer. The sleet made splashy, cold sounds on the pavement.
He rolled his eyes. Blake put the book under his arm and opened the bag. I waited while he ate, dying inside because he’d been hungry.
He nodded when he finished, “Thank you. It was delicious. So glad you didn’t make it.”
I fake punched him in the arm. “Be funny. But I’m glad.”
He easily tossed the bag into the trashcan a few feet away. All that was left was the book. His story. Everything that ever mattered to him distilled down to black and white pages.
“So, how much is in here?” He finally looked at the cover, touching the tattoo that was repeated on his own skin.
“You told me to write without fear. So…” I clenched my fists in my pockets, nervous again.
“All of it?” He thumbed through the pages as I waited. “Mouse?”
“As best as I could, he’s in there.” I tried to read upside down. Judging from the inverted words he was at a sex scene.
He made his eyes go wide. “This too?”
I pulled my hands up and held them out. “No fear, right?”
He chuckled a bit at my discomfort, and then he stopped at the dedication page. I knew what he was reading. I wondered if it was something he would like.
He spoke the promise out loud; “A portion of the profits from this novel will be donated to food pantries in Southern Maryland, which have been depleted by local demand since Hurricane Irene.”
“Yeah.” I had thought of a ton of different charities, hoping he would approve of his story being the conduit for one so close to my heart.
“That’s nice. I’m glad. If we’re going to tell the story, might as well do some good.” He tried to hand it back to me.
“That’s yours. You can toss it, burn it, whatever. I just needed you to have one.” I met his intense gaze again. “You don’t have to read it. It’s filled with Beckett’s cursing. Horrible really. My poor parents. They want to keep it on their coffee table in the retirement community.” I filled the air with words because I just didn’t want to hear Blake reject the story.
He held it in his hands. They were cold, ashy blue in color. He’d obviously been here for a long time. He tucked Poughkeepsie inside his jacket and slipped it in the pocket there. “Better?”
I smiled. “Come sit with me in the van. Let’s warm up. I’d love to tell you how the reviews are going.”
“No, thanks but she’s coming. Two more trains and then I get to walk Livia to her car. So, sorry, I can’t. But it’s cloudy, I can walk you to your van.” I saw his worried glance at the sky.
He was afraid of the sun. I knew this better than anyone else. The patchy clouds were tapering off their frosty offerings, threatening to let the sun have its head again.
“I’m good, thanks. I appreciate it. This is it then. I’d better get going, the husband wants to leave so we can get back to Maryland tonight.” I tossed my caution to the cold and hugged him again.
I felt him kiss the top of my head, “Take care, crazy author lady. Can you tell me how it ends?” His voice was playful, but as I looked up at his handsome face I knew he was genuinely curious.
I patted his chest gently. “It ends as it’s supposed to.”
“Okay, fine. Have a safe ride. Visit me next time you make it to New York. I’ll still be here.” He sat back down and smoothed out his cardboard.
I walked backwards a bit, the mischievous sun providing some warmth again. I hated that he’d never step into rays to take the chill off his skin. I should’ve said goodbye, but I couldn’t. He’d been in my head for so long, he belonged there now. I turned and walked up the stairs, mentally promising him I’d visit more often.
Thanks again, Brianna! Happy Holidays everyone!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debra Anastasia is busy, just like every other mom. There’s dinner, the dogs, the kids, and their homework. The laundry pile turns into a big, heaping monster. When the clothes finally make it into the washer, it gets unbalanced and puts on an elaborate show before it cuts out. This crazy job that never ends is her first love and her crowning achievement.
Her writing started a decent handful of years ago when along with the dogs, cat, kids, and husband, the voices of characters started whispering stories in Debra’s ear. Insomnia was the gateway for the plots that wouldn't give up, wouldn’t let go. In the shower, a twist would take hold and— dripping and frenzied— she’d find somewhere, anywhere to write it down.
Debra grew up in New York and got a bachelor’s degree in political science at SUNY New Paltz. At the start of her marriage, she moved to southern Maryland with her husband. She still doesn’t trust crabs and all their legs, though everyone else in her family thinks they’re delicious. Her favorite hobbies include knitting, painting furniture and wall murals, and slapping clowns.
Earlier this year Omnific Publishing published her debut novel, Crushed Seraphim, and she’s currently pounding out the sequel to angel Emma’s adventures.
He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.
Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.
When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.
Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?
In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.
To celebrate Poughkeepsie’s one month birthday please enjoy the giveaway of (1) *signed* print copy of Poughkeepsie, one handmade Poughkeepsie-themed charm bracelet, two temporary tattoos, and one signed Poughkeepsie train schedule for one winner and (2) eCopies of Poughkeepsie to two more winners.
HarperCollins is having an Epic Reads Epic Deals promotion going on right now. TEN ebooks for only $0.99 each. Promo ends January 31, 2012.
Sourcebooks announced its most extensive eBook promotion to date. For a limited time, purchase the first book from a Sourcebooks author for only $1.99 – books that are the first in a series, or the first book that Sourcebooks published by that author (and a few extra for good measure). More than 65 exceptional books ranging from young adult to adult fiction, romance, and non-fiction. For the complete list of titles, click here. Here are some of the ebooks included in this promo:
Promo runs tomorrow (12/21) through 1/8/2012.
Here are a couple of free Kindle books:
Edit to update: Unlocked by Courtney Milan is now $0.99.
Don’t forget to check out Amazon’s The Big Deal promo that’s also going on now until December 23rd. And remember, you can grab these ebook deals and gift them and have them delivered any day you want – Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, a birthday, or any other special occasion.
A small percentage of commission is received for purchases using these links. Commission earned will help maintain the site (domain name, blog design, postage, giveaways, etc.).
Flashpoint (American Heroes, #1) by Jill Shalvis
Flashback (American Heroes, #2) by Jill Shalvis
Burning Up by Susan Andersen
) – I wasn’t going to read this book. I wasn’t. But the buzz surrounding this paranormal romance novel was too incredibly loud, it was utterly impossible to ignore. One thing that still stands out for me was the ‘take a penny, leave a penny’ scene. That was hilarious! And I love how possessive and obsessed Dragos is about Pia. They are one of my favorite couples. I loved this book so much, I had to get my very own copy (I had originally gotten the book from the library).
Robin Kaye was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge next door to her Sicilian grandparents.
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